On a generalization of Hua's theorem with five squares of primes (Q1046854)

\textit{L. K. Hua} [Q. J. Math., Oxf. Ser. 9, 68--80 (1938; Zbl 0018.29404)] proved that every sufficiently large integer \(N\equiv 5 \pmod{24}\) can be written as a sum of five squares of primes. It is conjectured that every sufficiently large integer \(N\equiv 4 \pmod{24}\) can be written as a sum of four squares of primes. This is known for almost all such integers. Recently, \textit{G. Harman} and \textit{A. V. Kumchev} [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 140, 1--13 (2006; Zbl 1114.11079)] proved that, with at most \(O(N^{(5/14)+\varepsilon)}\) exceptions, all positive integers \(n\equiv 4\pmod{24}\) not exceeding \(N\) can be written as a sum of four squares of primes. In the paper under review the authors prove that every sufficiently large integer \(N\equiv 5\pmod{24}\) can be written as a sum of five squares of primes where at least one of the primes is \(\leq N^{49/288}\).